The Belgium striker scored 16 times on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea last season and manager Roberto Martinez has made his permanent signing his priority this summer.

But the Blues are understood to be facing competition from a number of top European clubs, including Atletico Madrid, for his signature.

It remains unclear if Lukaku’s parent club are willing to sell the towering forward but Martinez has made it clear that he wants him at Everton next season.

Quotes attributed to Lukaku have the 21-year-old as saying the door remains open for a return to Merseyside but he will not make a decision on his future until after a holiday following Belgium’s World Cup exit.

“I have the opportunity to stay at Everton, it is a possibility and it is something we will have to talk about. But first I want to go back to Belgium, see my family and get some rest,” Lukaku is reported to have said.